Reue

Reue is a German term for remorse or regret, referring to the emotional experience of sorrow and penitence after one’s actions have harmed others or violated moral standards. It is more than simple sadness; it involves a moral appraisal that the act was wrong and that one should have acted differently.

In distinguishing from guilt, Reue emphasizes the affective distress and the longing to make amends. It often includes a wish to apologize, repair damage, or change future behavior. Regret, in a broader sense, may apply to non-moral or hypothetical situations and does not always entail a moral judgment.

Etymology: The noun Reue derives from the verb reuen (to regret), with usage documented in medieval and modern German. In religious and philosophical discourse, Reue might be linked to concepts such as repentance or contrition.

Psychology and culture: Reue is discussed as a moral emotion that can promote restitution and personal growth when adaptive. Persistent or excessive Reue, without constructive outcomes, can contribute to rumination or depressive symptoms. In literature and religious contexts, Reue is a common motif illustrating the consequences of wrongdoing or the possibility of moral transformation.

See also: remorse, guilt, contrition, repentance.